Nitrate Contamination

Nitrate in Vermont Drinking Water

Ranked by nitrate violation count · Data from EPA SDWIS & UCMR

Cities Tested

Has Violations

100%

% Has Violations

6.5 violations

State Avg

▼ 0% vs national

vs National

Health Violations

Analysis

Nitrate in Vermont: what the data shows

Vermont has 74 cities with nitrate-related violations. The EPA MCL for nitrate is 10 mg/L (measured as nitrogen). The state has 74 cities with at least one nitrate violation. Nitrate is the most common groundwater contaminant in the United States. It enters water supplies primarily through agricultural fertilizer runoff, septic system leaching, and animal feedlot operations. Rural and agricultural communities face the highest risk. The primary acute health concern is methemoglobinemia ("blue baby syndrome") in infants under six months. Emerging research also links chronic nitrate exposure to thyroid disease, certain cancers, and adverse birth outcomes. Reverse osmosis, ion exchange, and distillation can remove nitrate from drinking water — standard carbon filters do not.

Comparison

Cities exceeding 10 mg/L EPA MCL

Vermont

100%

74 of 74 cities

← = Exactly at national rate

National avg

100%

8001 of 8001 cities

City Map

Nitrate data across Vermont

Each dot is a city with nitrate violation data. Cities with at least one nitrate-related violation are highlighted. Size reflects population served.

Worst Offenders

Top 10 cities by nitrate level in Vermont

Highest Nitrate levels (violations)

All Cities

All Vermont cities ranked by nitrate level

#	City	Level	Violations?	Violations	Grade
1	Killington	42 violations	Yes	156	F
2	Dover	27 violations	Yes	41	D
3	Rutland Town	24 violations	Yes	95	F
4	Ludlow	23 violations	Yes	62	F
5	Warren	20 violations	Yes	50	F
6	Wilmington	16 violations	Yes	8	D
7	Fairfax	15 violations	Yes	19	D
8	Plymouth	15 violations	Yes	27	F
9	Jay	14 violations	Yes	8	B
10	Starksboro	12 violations	Yes	17	C-
11	Londonderry	12 violations	Yes	26	C-
12	Hyde Park	10 violations	Yes	15	B
13	Georgia	10 violations	Yes	10	D+
14	Greensboro	10 violations	Yes	11	C+
15	Hartford	9 violations	Yes	23	D
16	Berlin	9 violations	Yes	11	D
17	Derby	9 violations	Yes	26	B
18	Richmond	9 violations	Yes	20	B
19	Burke	9 violations	Yes	14	D+
20	Pownal	9 violations	Yes	10	D+
21	Bolton	8 violations	Yes	70	C+
22	Wallingford	8 violations	Yes	5	C+
23	Winhall	8 violations	Yes	19	B-
24	Lunenburg	8 violations	Yes	15	B+
25	Randolph	7 violations	Yes	14	C+
26	Windsor	7 violations	Yes	7	B+
27	Stowe	6 violations	Yes	35	D
28	Bradford	6 violations	Yes	11	B+
29	Castleton	5 violations	Yes	20	D+
30	Barre Town	5 violations	Yes	10	D
31	Royalton	5 violations	Yes	19	C-
32	Norwich	5 violations	Yes	10	A-
33	Cavendish	5 violations	Yes	3	B+
34	South Burlington	4 violations	Yes	5	B+
35	Waterbury	4 violations	Yes	2	B
36	Cambridge	4 violations	Yes	13	C+
37	Morristown	4 violations	Yes	26	B-
38	Johnson	4 violations	Yes	2	B+
39	Dorset	4 violations	Yes	17	B+
40	Barnet	4 violations	Yes	20	F
41	Chelsea	4 violations	Yes	22	B+
42	Colchester	3 violations	Yes	9	C
43	Saint Johnsbury	3 violations	Yes	24	C+
44	Rockingham	3 violations	Yes	3	C
45	Chester	3 violations	Yes	1	A-
46	Fair Haven	3 violations	Yes	2	A
47	Bristol	3 violations	Yes	3	A
48	Bethel	3 violations	Yes	7	A
49	Waitsfield	3 violations	Yes	14	B+
50	Springfield	2 violations	Yes	6	A
51	Milton	2 violations	Yes	11	D+
52	Vergennes	2 violations	Yes	9	A-
53	Manchester	2 violations	Yes	15	B
54	Lyndon	2 violations	Yes	6	A-
55	Swanton	2 violations	Yes	15	B
56	Hinesburg	2 violations	Yes	15	B
57	North Hero	2 violations	Yes	36	A-
58	Woodstock	2 violations	Yes	8	B+
59	Arlington	2 violations	Yes	1	A
60	Alburgh	2 violations	Yes	37	D
61	Walpole	2 violations	Yes	4	C-
62	Saint George	2 violations	Yes	32	B+
63	East Montpelier	2 violations	Yes	4	C-
64	Montgomery	2 violations	Yes	6	B+
65	Burlington	1 violations	Yes	0	B+
66	Williston	1 violations	Yes	0	B+
67	Stratton	1 violations	Yes	5	A-
68	Newport City	1 violations	Yes	12	B+
69	Hardwick	1 violations	Yes	13	B+
70	Barton	1 violations	Yes	6	B-
71	Enosburgh	1 violations	Yes	6	B+
72	Putney	1 violations	Yes	10	B+
73	Newbury	1 violations	Yes	8	B-
74	South Hero	1 violations	Yes	14	B

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about nitrate in Vermont

Is nitrate in Vermont tap water dangerous?

Yes — 74 cities in Vermont have nitrate-related violations. The EPA MCL is 10 mg/L. Nitrate is especially dangerous for infants under six months, where it can cause methemoglobinemia ("blue baby syndrome"). Adults face lower acute risk, but chronic exposure is linked to thyroid disease and certain cancers.

How can I remove nitrate from my drinking water?

Reverse osmosis, ion exchange, and distillation are effective at removing nitrate. Standard carbon filters (including most pitcher and faucet-mount filters) do NOT remove nitrate. If you rely on a private well in an agricultural area, have your water tested annually for nitrate.

What causes high nitrate levels in Vermont water?

Nitrate contamination comes primarily from agricultural fertilizer runoff, septic system leaching, and animal feedlot operations. Rural communities near intensive farming are most at risk. Shallow wells are particularly vulnerable. Heavy rainfall can spike nitrate levels as it washes fertilizer into groundwater and surface water supplies.

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